Machine for forming coat hangers



Dec, 8, 1931.

C. H. BALDWIN Filed March 14, 19:50

7 Sheets-Sheet l 66 a 6'1 4'8 I 7 65 l INVENTOR. C/mkcHBaZiu in A TTORNE Y.

Dec. 8, 1931. 4 c. H. BALDWIN 1,835,839

MACHINE FOR FORMING COAT HANGERS Filed March 14, 1950 7 sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

- (Yaise HBal d/n'n' BY M W ATTORNEY.

Dec. 8, 1931. c, BALDWlN 1,835,839

MACHINE FOR FORMING COAT HANGERS Filed March 14, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Qt'q 0 2'8 Q" IN VEN TOR.

6' I013 eH. Bald/fin A TTORNE Y.

De. -8, 1931. I c. H. BALbWlN 1,835,339

MACHINE FOR FORMING COAT "HANGERS Filed March 14, 1950 7 sneaks-sheet 5 I I 0 & a!

I n I 13 Z a2 a? I Y I 80 79a Z 66 O 6% 7 \9 'I I 0 1 H I I I 4 I n .95 .9 :T':"":'-;, 97 l! 100 .99 I I :l as I INVENTOR. CZOZ SGEBdHWIh A TTORNE Y.

Dec. 8, 1931.] 'c, H, wj I 1,835839 MACHINE FOR FORMING COAT HA NGERS Filed March 14, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR.

1 CZoz'se/ZBa/dm'n ATTORNEY.

1931- c. H. BALDWIN ,8

MACHINE FOR FORMING COAT HANGERS Filed March 14, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 '1 123 "zzsi. O v 11:" I 1a.?

U106 1 8 JNVENTOR. ClozlswEBalcZwz'n ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 8, 1931 I cLoIsE'rt. BALDWIN; or roar woa'rrr, TEXAS MACHINE FOR FORMING 'c'oA'r Smears Application filed March 14, 1930. Serial No. 435,866.

This invention "relates to a machine forforming coat hangers and has for its primary object to provide, in a'manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine for the above mentioned 75 purpose by means of which a length of wire may have portions thereof bent in proper sequence and in proper relation to the remaining portions thereof to produce a finished coat hanger of the wire type, the latter being lowing the completion of the hanger.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character aforesaid, which may be suppliedwith a'plurality of wires of proper length to be successively operated upon by the machine to produce a plurality of coat hangers of the wire type suspended from a pair of delivery arms, the operation of the machine being entirelyv automatic from the time that the plurality of wires are supplied thereto.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel con struction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that the description and drawings are to be taken asillustrat ive and'that the invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the claims hereunto appended. In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine in' accordance with this invention with the feeding mechanism removed therefrom.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the feeding mechanism.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the feeding mechanism. Figure 4 1s a fragmentary front elevation of the feeding mechanism.

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the means for operating the gripping mechanism. Figure 6 is a detailed View of the means for operating the bending mechanism.

' Figure 7 is a detailed View of the bending ejected from the machine immediately fol-.

mechanism.-

operative position with respect to a length mechanism as viewed from the right of Figure 6. Figure 8 is'a'detailed view of the means for operating the folding mechanism. Figure 9is a vertical section through the machine-showing the clamping mechanism and the cam shaft from which the same is operated. a Figure 10 is a detailed view of the clamping mechanism and means for operating the same.

Figure 11 is a detailed view showing the means for operatingthe twisting mechanism.

Figure 12 is a top plan of the twister element.

Figure 13 is a sectional detail of the twister Figure 14 is a detailed view of the hook formingmechanismf and operating means therefor.

Figure 15 is a detailed view showing the hook forming and ejector mechanisms.

.Figure 16 is a detailed view of one of the cam shafts withthe cams in place thereon.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary elevation showing the driving means for the cam shaft for operating the several mechanisms.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view showing the gripping and bending mechanisms in of wirebelng formed into a coat hanger.

Figure 19 is a similar view showing the folding and clamping mechanisms in operative position with respect to the length of wire. v

F igilre 20 is a similar view showing the twisting mechanism in operative position with respect to the length of wire.

Figure 21 is a similar view showingthe hook forming mechanism in operative position with respect to the length of wire.

A coat hanger forming machine" in accordance withthis'invention consists of a feeding mechanism for successively moving a .plurality of wires into position to be operated upon, gripping mechanism for receiving the in Figure 1. The cam tion of the hanger and for bringing the obliquely bent end portions of the wire into juxta-position, clamping mechanism for securing the obliquely bent end portions of the wires in juxta-position, twisting mechanism for securing the obliquely bent end portions together, hook forming mechanism for bending one of the secured end portions into the shape of a hook to complete the hanger, ejecting mechanism for ejecting the 'completed hanger from the machine, and driving means for operating the several mechanisms in proper sequence.

The several mechanisms are supported by means of a base 1 having a skeleton frame 2 extending upwardly therefrom, and are operated by'means of a pair of cam shafts 3 and 4 respectively. The cam shafts 3 and 4 extend from front to rear with respect to the machine, the cam shaft 3 being located centrally ofthe sides of the frame 2, and the cam shaft 4 being located on the left side of the frame 2 when viewed from the front as shafts 3 and 4 are provided at their rearward ends with bevelled gears 5 and 6 respectively which are operated at equal speed in opposite directions by means of a pair of pinions 7 and 8 fixedly mounted on a common shaft 9. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 9 is a gear 10 which is in mesh with a pinion 11 fixedly mounted on a power shaft be operated by any suitable means, not shown. Projecting upwardly from the frame 2 are a pair of pedestals 13 which rigidly support a rod 14 extending therebetween.

Feeding mechanism 12 which may This mechanism consists of a pair of spaced angular supporting members 15 adapted to have a plurality of wires 16 supported thereon and disposed at a downward'and rearward inclination. The supporting members 15 are supported in front of the machine by means of a frame 17 mounted on the upper ends of a pair of rigid arms 18, the lower ends of which are connected supports 15 are further supported by means of a pair of braces 19, the respective ends of which are rigidly connected with the frame 17 and rod 14 -extending between the pedestals 13. Pivotally connected to the frame 17 are the forward ends of a pair of links 20, the

rearward ends of which are pivotally connected to a pair of carrier members 21 intermediatethe ends of the latter. The upper ends of the carrier members 21 are pivotally connected to the forward ends of a pair of rocker arms 22 mounted on the rod 14 whereby longitudinal movement is imparted to the members 21 upon rocking movement of the rocker arms 22. Spaced from the lower ends thereof the members 21 are provided in their forward faces with notches 23 which are adapted to receive the rearmost of the wires with the base 1. The

16 therein. Upon a movement of the members 21in a downward direction, the rearmost of the wires 16 is carried thereby along a pair of guide members 24 projecting from the frame 17 and is deposited on a plurality of resilient fingers 25 carried by a rod 26 mounted on the upper ends of a pair of swinging arms 27, the lower ends of which are connected with a cross member 28 which is rotatably mounted on a pair of brackets 29 projecting forwardly from the base 1. Gentrally thereof the crossmember 28 is provided with an upstanding arm 30 which is provided at its upper end with a roller 31 in contacting relation with a cam 32 provided on the cam shaft 3 at the forward end of'the latter. The roller 31 is maintained in contact with the cam 32 by means of a pair of springs 33 which extend rearwardly'from the rod 26 and are connected with the frame 2. In Figure 2 the carrier members 21 are shown at the extreme upper ends of their paths of longitudinal movement, and the swinging arms 27 are shown at the rearward'extremities of their paths of swinging movement with the fingers 25 in position to deliver one of the wires 16 to the gripping mechanism of the machine which will be hereinafter described. When the swinging arms 27 move forwardly from the position shown in Figure 2, the wire 16 fingers 25 by the carrier members 21.

Gripping 'rriecham'sm This mechanism consists of a pair of spaced supporting members 35 rigidly supported from the frame 2 and disposed in the vertical plane of the wire 16 which has been carried rearwardly by the'resilient fingers 25. The supporting members 35 are formed with inwardly and downwardly inclined upper faces, and adapted to coactwith such upper faces is an arcuate clamping member 36, the lower face of which has portions arranged in opposing relation and conforming in contour with the upper faces of the supporting members 35. The ends of the clamping member 36 merge into a pair of vertical rods 37, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected with the forward endsof the rocker amps 22. The clamping member 36 is normally maintained in spaced relation to the supporting members 35 by means of a pair of compression springs 38 which bear against the lower faces of a pair of shoulders 39 formed on the rods 37. Just prior to the forward movement of the resilient fingers 25, the clamping element 36 is moved downwardly to secure the wire 16' supported by the fingers 25 against the supporting members 35 whereby the wire is removed from the fingers when the latter move forwardly. The downward movement of the clamping member 36 is accomplished by means of a cam 40 mounted on the cam shaft 3 and disposed below a roller. 41arricd by. a cross head 42 at the lower end of a pair of vertically disposed rods 43. Connected toand extending transversely of the rods 43 at the upper ends of the latter is a rod 44, to the outer'ends of which the rearward ends of the rocker arms 22 are' ivotally connected. When a high portion the cam 40 contacts with the roller 41, the rockerarms 22 are rocked on the rod 14 in a manner to swing the forward ends of the rocker arms 22 in a downward arc.

' ing forms 45 located outwardly with respect to the supporting niembers and formed with angular upper faces46. The forms 45 are mounted on the lower'ends of a pai'r'of curved brackets 47, the upper ends of which are pivotally mounted on a rod 48 extending transversely of the machine. The forms are normally maintained rearwardly of the plane of the supporting members 35 by means of a pair'ofsprings 49 which extend rearwardl from the forms 45 and which are connecte at their rearward ends to thefrant of the machine: Coacting with the angular upper faces of'the forms 45 area pairof substantially triangular heads 50 which are carried on the outer ends of a pair of arms 51, extending transversely of the machine. and merging at their inner 'ends into a pair of shafts 52 extending from front to rear of. the

- machine and rotatablyrmounted in apair of bearings 53-mounted on the rod 48 At the rearward ends thereof the shafts 52 termi mate in a pair of outwardly disposed cranks 54 which are pivotally connected adjacent their outer. ends with a pair' of downwardly and inwardly extending rods 55. The lower ends of the rods 55'are pivotally connected with a cross head 56 which'is provided with a roller 57 located beneath a cam 58 mounted on the cam shaft 3. The cross head 56 is slidably mounted on a air of vertically disposed guides 59 suitab y connected'with the frame of the machine. The cross head 56 is provided with a pair of brackets 60 to which are secured the lower ends of a pair 'of tension springs 61, the upper ends of which are suitably connected with the frame of the machine. The springs 61 maintain the roller 57 in engagement with the cam 58 and normally maintain the heads 50 on the arms 51 in spaced relation to the forms 45' as shown in Figure 1. When the high portion of the cam 58 is brought into engagement with the roller 57, the shafts 52 are rotated whereby the arms 51 ,are swung downwardly to bring the heads 50 into operative position with respect to the forms 45. Upon the swinging of the arms 51 downwardly, the forms 45 are swung forwardly by means of.rollers. 62 mounted on the outer ends of the cranks 54. The downward movement of the cranks 54 causes the rollers 62 to ride along the inclined rearward faces 63 of the brackets 47 whereby the latter are swung forwardly about; the rod 48 to bring the forms 45 beneath the wire 16 supported in the gripping mechanism. At the same time the heads 50 are forced against the wire and the latter is*forced to assume the contour of the angular faces 46 of the forms 45 whereby the end portions of the wire are bent obliquely to adjacent portions thereof. The wire is supported by the gripping mechanism in'a manner to project one end'thereof beyond one of the forms 45 a greater distance than the opposite end of the wire is projected beyond the opposite form 45. In this manner the wire is provided with a relatively long obliquely. disposed portion 64, and a relatively short obliquely disposed end portion 65.

Folding qmcham'sm This mechanism consists of a pair of angular arms 66 which are adapted to swing in downward arcs to bring the outer ends of the arms into engagement with the wire 16 outwardly of the supporting members 35. Upon the downward movement of the arms 66 the wire 16 is bent in a manner to formthe body portion of the coat hanger, and at. the extreme downward movement of the arms,- the obliqgely disposed end portions 64 and 65 of the wire are dis osed in parallel relation with the outer end oFtheportion 64 projecting beyond the outer end of the portion 65. The

arms 66 are fixedly mounted on shafts 67 which extend from front to rear of the machine and are journaled in bearings 68 carried b the transversely extending rod 48. Fixed y mounted on the shafts 67 are a pair ofsegme'ntal bevel gears 68 which are in mesh with a pair of bevelled gears 69 fixedly mounted on a shaft 70 extending transversely" o the machine. At one end thereof the shaft 70 is provided with a crank 71 havin a section '72 of a connecting rod pivotal y connected therewith. Connected with the section 72 by means of a turnbuckle 73 is another section .74 of theconnecting rod, such other section being pivotally connected to a lever 75 having one end .rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 76 carried by the base 1 and disposed outwardly with respect to the cam shaft 4. Fixedly mounted on the cam shaft 4 is a cam 77 for operating the lever 75. The arms 66 are normally maintained in their upper position by means of a tension spring 78, the ends respectively of which are connected with the lever 75 and a bracket 79 projecting from the frame 2. When a high portion of the cam 7 7 contacts with the lever 75 the shaft 70 is rotated by the crank 71, and the rotation of the shaft 70 is transmitted through the gears 69 and 68 and shafts 67 to the arms 66 to swing the latter in downward arcs to fold the body portion of the coat hanger.

Clamping wwclzanism This mechanism includes a pair of spaced vertically slidable bars 80, the upper ends of bars 80 is a pair of toggle levers 86 and 87 which are pivotally connected respectively to a collar 88 slidably mounted on a rod 89 and to a collar 90 fixedly mounted on the rod 89. The rods 89 are slidably mounted in a hearing -91 which is pivotally mounted on the frame 2 to provide for a tilting movement of the rods 89-. Fixedly mounted on the forward ends of the rods 89 is the for-ward jaw member 92 of a vice for coaction with the rearward jaw member 93 of the vice, the rearward jaw member being secured to the collars 88. Down ward movement of the slidable bars 80 is effected by means of a pair of downwardly extending rods 94 connected therewith and with a cross head 95 which is provided with a roller 96. Engaging the roller 96 is a cam 97 fixedly mounted on the cam shaft 3.

The cam 97 is formed with a peripheral portion98 disposed a greater distance from the shaft 3 than a peripheral portion 99 of the cam. while the portion 98 is disposed a lesser distance from the shaft 3 than the maj or peripheral portion 100 of the cam. When the portion 99 is in contact with the roller 96, the slidable bars 80 are in their upper positions and the vice jaws 92 and 93 are opened.

When the portion 98 of the cam is brought into contact with the roller 96-, the bars 80 are moved downwardly to position the collars 88 upon a cross member 101 extending transversely of the machine. "When the portion 100 of the cam is brought into contact with the roller 96, the bars 80 are again moved downwardly whereby the jaws 92 and 93 are moved toward each other through the action of the toggle levers 86 and 97. The jaw 92 is normally maintained in spaced relation to the jaw 93 by means of compression springs 102 encircling the rods 89 at the rearward ends of the latter. During the downward movement of the bars 80, the same remain at rest in the position shown in Figure 9 a suflicient length of time for the wire from which the coat hanger is being formed to be inserted between the jaws by the action of the arms 66 of the folding mechanism. Upon the continued downward movement of the bars 80 the aws 92 and 93 are moved together as previously described to clamp the wire therebetween.

Twisting mechanism This mechanism consists of a frame 103 slidably mounted by means of a pair of spaced ears 101 on a pair of vertically disposed guide rods 105 secured to the frame of the machine. Between the guide rods 105, the frame 103 is formed with an enlarged portion 106 having a horizontally disposed opening 107. Extending through and supported by the enlarged portion 106 is a shaft 108 upon which is fixedly mounted a pinion 109 which is disposed within the opening 107. Formed on the upper end of the shaft 108 is a cylindrical member 110 which is formed with a longitudinally extending opening 111 which is oblong in cross section, and the upper end of which is flared as indicated at 112. Upon movement of the member 110 in an upwai'd direction, the oblique end portions 6 1 and of the wire from which the hanger is being formed are projected into the opening 111. Sliding movement of the frame 103 is effected by means of a link 113 having one end pivotally connected with the frame and having its other end pivotally connected with a lever 114 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a bracket 115 projecting from the frame 2. The outer end of the lever 114 is provided with a roller 116 for engagement with a cam 117 fixedly mounted on the cam shaft 4. The roller 116 is maintained in engagement with the cam 117 by means of a rigid angular bracket 118 to which one end of a rod 119 is pivotally connected. The oppcsite end of the rod 119 is secured by means of a strap 120 to the lower end of a vertically disposed leaf spring 121. Vhen a low portion of the cam 117 comes in contact with the roller 11.6 the outer end of the lever 114 is depressed by the action of the spring 121, whereby the frame 103 is moved upwardly on the guide rod 105.

Meshing with the pinion 109 is a rack bar 122 which is mounted for sliding horizontal movement in a pair of guides 123 carried by the frame 103. One end of the rack bar 122 is connected by means of a link 12 1 with the upper end of a lever 125, the lower end of which is rotatably mounted on the stationary shaft 7 6 heretofore described. Carried by the lever 125 is a roller 126 which is maintained in engagement with a cam 127 on the cam shaft 4 by means of a tension spring 128, the respective ends of which are connected with the lever 125 and with a strap 129'se cured to the frame of the machine. When a high portion of the'cam. 127 is brought into contact with the roller 126, the rack bar 122 is moved longitudinally whereby the cylindrical member 110 is rotated to twist the obliquely bent portions 64 and 65 of the wire for securing them together. The twistin the end portions 64 and 65 formed by the rotation ofth'e member 110 is clearly-shown in Figure 21 and is indicated by thereference character 130. l

H 001: forming mechanism This mechanism consists .of a pair of shafts 131 and 132 extending from front to rear of the machine, slidably mounted adjacent their rearward ends in abearin'g member 133 fixedly secured to the frame'of the machine at the rear side thereof. The-shafts 131 and 132 are rotatably mounted adjacent their forwal d ends in a.

slidable bearing 134 which is slidably mounted on a pair of guide rods, one of which-is indicated at 135. The bearing 134 seats on a plate 136 secured to the frame of the machine and is provided in its. lower face with a notch 137 for the reception therein of a rib 138 formed on the upper face of the plate 136 and extending from front to rear of the machine. Disposed on the shafts 131 and 132 respectively are a pair of fixedly mounted collars 139 and 140 which bear against the rear face of the bearing 134 to provide for unitary movement of the shafts 13l and 132 and the bearing 134 rearwardly of the machine when a rearward force is exerted onthe bearing. 1

Fixedly mounted on the the=shaft 131 is a crank 141 with a forwardly projecting head 142.

forward end of Fixedly mounted on the forward end of the shaft 132'is a curved arm 143 which is provided at'its outer end with a' forwardly'project'ing head 144; Fixedly' mounted on the rearward endof the shaft 132is an'- upwardly extending, eurvedba'n145, the upper end of which is con frame 39f" themachine. xtending in the 1 same direction as thespring 146;isarelativel heavy chain 148,- therespective ends of whic are connected withjthe bar 145 and'a cross tion to the member 1149 extending transversely of the Extending "in the opposite direc- I spring 146 and having one end-pix" otally connected with the bar 145 is a link 150,.

ma chine;

the opposite 'end' of which is pivotally connected with one end of an equalizer151. Se-

curedjto the opposite end of the equalizer 151 is a flexibleclement 152, such as a-chain,

which. operates in one of the grooves 153 of.a double shivewheel154 fixedly mount- ".ed on the rearward .end of .the' shaft said shafts being rotatably and which is provided forward face of 'cted-to one "end of a tension spring 146, the ppositeend ofwhich is s'e-,

' ,cured to a "bracket- 14;?" supported from-the termediate its ends to a lever 159 which is rotatably mounted at its lower end onthe stawheel 154 by tionary shaft 7 6 heretofore mentioned. Carried by the lever 159 is a roller 160,for engagement with-a cam 161 fixedly mounted on the cam shaft'4. The roller-160 is main- 7 tained in contact with the cam .161 bythe tension of the springs 146 156,-and when a \Y high portion of the cam contacts with the is swung inan'outward direction. Owing to the eqiializer 151 the outward movement of the upper end of theleve'r 159 is imparted first to the shaft 132 through the link 150'and bar 145. In the normal position of the bar 145 the chain 148 is slack and when the bar 145 is moved a sufficient distance to remove p such slack, any further movement of the bar 145 is prevented. When the bar 145 reaches the limit of its movement,-the continued movement of the lever 159 causes a rotation of the shaft 131 owing to the shive wheel 154 fixedly mounted thereon. and to the flexible element152 connecting the shive wheel with the equalizer. While the bar 145 moves only a very short distance, the movement of the lever 159 is suificient to rotate the shaft 131 through anarc of substantially 190-. Upon the movement of the? shaft 132, the curved arm 143 is swung in an arc whereby the head 144 thereofis forcedmgainst the pro- 'roller 160 the upper'en'd of the. lever 159 V 'jecting end portion 64 of the wire bei'ng operated upon to slightly bend suchendportion around a pin 162 projecting-from the the bearing 134. Up n the rotation of the shaft 131,. the crank 41 is swung in an arc to bring the head 142 thereon into contact with the end portion-65 ofthe" wire eneath the point of contact'between'the wire andthe head 144. The movement of-the, crank I41 continues until the end fi0rti'on65 as indicated at 163. y Ejectz'ng mechanism ablymounted rods 164 extending from front This mechanism consists of apair of slidof the [wire isbent into the shape of a hook:

to rear'of the machine and formed-at their forward fids 'with curved contact members 165 forengagement withthe rear side of the completed coat ing members'35. .The rods 164are pivotally hanger adjacent the supportconnected at their rearward ends to one'end,

of a pivotallymolrnted bell. crank 166, the

clampingmembers 36 and supporting memopposite end of which is pivotally connected to a link 167 rigidly connected by means of a bracket 168 to one end of a bell crank 169. The opposite end of the bell crank 169 is provided with a roller 170 which is maintained in engagement with a cam 171 on the cam shaft 3 by means of a tension spring 172, the respective ends of which are connected downwardly inclined delivery arms 173 which delivery arms 173 are secured to the downwardly to press are upwardly curved at their outer ends. The

supporting members 35. Simultaneously with the forward movement of the rods 164 to remove the complete-d coat hanger from the supporting members 35, the hook forming heads 142 and 144 are drawn rearwardly out of the path of the coat hanger by means of a link 174, the respective ends of which are pivotally connected to the upper end of the bell crank 169 and to a bracket 175 secured to the slidable bearing 134. Upon the actuation of the bell crank 169, the bearing 134 is moved rearwardly, and owing to the contact between the rear face of the bearing 134 and the collars 139 and 140, the shafts 131 and 132 are ,moved bodily in a rearward direction with the bearing 134.

In the operation of the machine as a whole, a plurality of wires 16 of the proper length are deposited by an operator on the support 15 and the cam shafts 3 and 4 are rotated by means of the power shaft 12 and the gearing mechanism connecting the power shaft with the cam shafts. By means of the cam 40 on the cam shaft 3, the rocker arms 22 are rocked on the rod 14 to impart longitudinal movement to the carriers 21 by means of which the rearmost of the wires 16 is removed from the supports 15 and delivered to the flexible fingers 25 carried by the rods 26 supported on the upper ends of the swinging arms 27. The swinging arms 27 arethen swung rearwardly by means of the cam 32 whereby the wire which has been deposited on the fingers 25 is moved rearwardly into a position on the supporting members 35. Upon the rocking movement of the rocker arms 22, the clamping member 36 is moved the wire 16 firmly against the supporting members 35 whereby the wire 16 is secured against movement. Upon the securing of the wire 16 between the hers 35, the swinging arms 27 are returned to their original position whereby the flexible fingers 25 are drawn away from the wire 16 secured by the gripping mechanism.

Upon securing of the wire 16 by the gripyond the outer end of ping mechanism, the arms 51 are'swung in downward arcs by the operation of the cam 58 on the shaft 3 whereby the heads 50 on the arms 51 force the wire into engagement with the angular upper faces 46 of the forming blocks 45 which are then brought into position beneath the Wire by means of the rollers 62 carried by the cranks 54011 the shafts 52. The coaction between the heads 50 and forming members 45 bends the wire to form the obliquely extending outer end portions 64 and 65. As soon as the portions 64 and 65 have been formed on the wire, the arms 51 and forming members 45 return to their original positions, and the folding arms 66 are swung in downward arcs by the operation of the cam 77 on the cam shaft 4. The downward movement of the folding arms 66 bends the wire 16 into the proper position to form the body portion of the coat hanger, in which position the end portions 64 and 65 are extended in parallel contacting relation, with the outer end of the portion 64 projecting bethe portion 65. The formations of the wire after the operation of the arms 51 and 66 respectively are illustrated in Figures 18 and 19.

Simultaneously with the operation of the folding arms 66, the vice jaws 92 and 93 are moved downwardly by the operation of the cam 97 on the cam shaft 3 into position to receive the folded end portions of the wire therebetween. Upon the reception of the wire between the jaws 92 and 93, the latter are moved toward each other into clamping ppsition by the continued action of the cam 9 Upon the securing of the wire between the jaws 92 and 93, the twister 110 is moved upwardly by the action of the cam 117 on the cam shaft 4 into a position to receive the end portions 64 and 65 of the wire within the opening 111 formed in the twister. At this time the twister is rotated by the action of the rack bar 122 which is operatively con nected with the cam 127 on the cam shaft 4 whereby the portions 64 and 65 of the wire are ,wrapped around each other as indicated at 130. At the completion of the rotating movement of the twister 110, the roller 126 is in contact with a projection 176 on the cam 127. and when the roller 126 clears the projection 17 6, the twister is backed oif'slightly and is lowered to its original position by the operation of the cam 117.

After the completion of the twist 130, the shafts 132 and 131 are successively rotated by the operation of the cam 161 on the cam shaft 4 whereby the heads 142 and 144 on the crank 141 and arm 143 respectively are moved relatively to form the hook 163. The heads 142 and 144 are then drawn rearwardly simultaneously with the forward movement of the ejector rods 164 by the operation of the cam 171 mounted on the cam shaft 3. Upon the deposit of the completed hanger on the delivery arms 173 the succeeding wire to be operated upon is delivered to the gripping mechanism described.

It is thought that the many advantages of a coat hanger forming machine in accordance with this invention will be readily apparfeedingmechanism comprising, a supporting adj acent structure fora plurality ofwircs, an angularly disposed carrier slidable with respect to the supporting structure for successively removing the wires therefrom, and a cam operated, swinging carrier for receiving the wires from said angularly disposed carrier.

'2. In a cast hanger forming machine, a gripping mechanism comprising, a pair of stationary supporting members for supporta length of wire atspaced points intermediate the ends thereof, said supporting members having their upper faces disposed at downward and inward inclinations, and a vertically movable clamp elementcoacting withsaid supporting members to grip the wire at said spaced points, said clamp element having an "arcuate lower face with portions thereof opposed ti; and conform-,-

mg in contour ;with the inclined upper faces of the supporting members.

3. In a coat hanger forming machine, a bending mechanism comprising, a pair of swinging forms having angular upper faces for disposition beneath end portions of a length of wire, apair of swinging arms haviIig angular faced heads for coaction with the upper faces of said swinging forms to bend end portions of the wire obliquely to portions thereof, means normally maintaining the swinging forms out of the path of travel of said arms, and means for simultaneously swingingthe arms and moving the swinging formsinto position for engagement therewith. 1"

the rod, and

mounted jaw;

hook forming mechanism comprising, a pair of rotatable shafts, a crank on one of said in the manner heretofore 4.5In a coat hanger forming machine, a, clampingmechanismcomprising, a slidable 'rod, a jaw memberfixedly mounted thereon; 1 a jawmember slidably mounted thereon, a

bar slidable perpendicularly toa pair of toggle leyers pivotallyconnectedt'o the slidable bar .and respectively pivotally connected-with the slidable ro'd andslidabl-y a In a coat hanger-forming machine,- a

a head, a curved arm on the other of said shaftsand formed with a head, means for successively rotating said shafts to move said heads into overlapping positions with respect .to eachother, an ejector rod extending in parallel relation to said shafts, and mea"ns for simultaneously imparting longitudinal movement to said rod and shafts in opposite dlrec- .tions.

7. In a coat hanger forming machine, \7

means for folding-and bending-a length of wire to form the body portion of a coat hanger with the end portions of the wire arranged in contacting, parallel relation and with one of said end portions projecting beyond the other. means for securing said end portions together, hook forming members engaging the .end portionprojecting beyond the other to form a hook, means for slidably mounting said hook forming members, a slidably mountcd ejector member, and means connected with the ejector member and the mounting means for the hook forming members to move the ejector and hook forming members in opposite directions; simultaneously after the forming of the hook.

8. In a coat hanger forming machine, a hook forming mechanism comprising, a pair ofrotatable shafts, hook forming members fixedly connected with the shafts, a swinging lever, alink pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the lever, means connectin opposite end portions of the link with saids afts respectively for rotating. the shafts upon movement of the link, one of said means being in closer proximity than the'other to the pivot ofthe link to provide for the rotation of one shaft in advance of the other, and stop means for limiting movement of the firstlmoved' shaft to provide for movementof the other shaft upon-continued movement of the link.

length of'wilfe to formthe body portion of a 'coat hanger with end portionsof'the .wire arranged in parallel relation, twisting mecha nism for-securing theend portions together, hook forming mechanism for; forming a hook on oneof the end portions to complete the hanger, ejecting mechanism forejecting the completed. hangers from the machine, and clamping mechanism for gripping. the end portions of the wire during the operation of the twisting and ejecting mechanisms, said clamping mechanism including a pair of horizo gtrally aligned jaws, means for normally' ma' taining the jaws open, means for vertically moving the jaws into position to receive therebotween the end portions of the wire, means for closing the jaws to grip the end portions of the wire, and means for opening the jaws and vertically moving the same out of the path of the wire prior to the operation of the ejecting mechanism.

10. In a coat hanger forming machine, a clamping mechanism comprising, a vertically movable, horizontally slidable rod, a jaw member fixedly mounted on the rod, a jaw member slidably mounted on the rod, a Vertically slidable bar, means on the rod for normally maintaining the jaws open, a pair of toggle levers pivotally connected with said bar and respectively pivotally connected with said rod and slidably mounted jaw, means for vertically moving said bar and aws simultaneously, and means for arresting vertical movement of said jaws to provide for the closing thereof upon a continued movement of said bar.

' 11. A coat hanger forming machine comprising, means for gripping a length of wire, bending mechanismfor bending end portions of the wire obliquely to adjacent portions thereof while the wire is held by the gripping'means, folding arms operating wholly after the operation of said bending mechanism to bend said adjacent portions in the opposite direction from the bending direction of the end portions to form the body portion of a coat hanger and to bring the end portions into parallel relation, means for securing the end portions together, and means for forming a hook for the hanger.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto. CLOISE H. BALDWIN. 

